Today, YouthCare is thrilled to announce its’ partnership with Starbucks, Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, and One Roof Foundation! These organizations use their platforms to impact youth experiencing homelessness in our community and YouthCare is inspired to be a part of their work. We are so grateful for their partnership and to be the first recipient of a “Puck Drop Grant” from Starbucks. Their generous$50,000 gift will support our mission to end youth homelessness.
The organizations kicked off their new chapter together by volunteering to deep clean our Pathways Program House, located near Seattle’s Ravenna Park. Pathways will house young people 12-17 years of age experiencing homelessness and housing instability. This volunteer project was one of the first projects in 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and brought together volunteers from our partners including Starbucks and the Seattle Kraken.
Everyone gathered in front of the beautiful brick home in Sand Point and had the chance to speak about what they looked forward to most about the project. Many spoke about the joy they felt to be able to gather with others in-person and get to working with their hands, a feeling that they welcomed after a long year of Zoom fatigue.
“I feel great to be volunteering in-person again instead of through a screen,” noted one Starbucks employee. “It’s just so nice to be able to feel all the energy that you all are bringing.”
The event was a celebration of the partnership, and a true testament to each organization’s dedication to our youth and was one of the first in-person group service projects in almost 18 months Despite it being one of the hottest days in Seattle’s history, the volunteers came to the house with a helpful and optimistic attitude, each showing a genuine desire to connect on a deeper level and get their hands dirty.
“Home is where the heart is, and I hope that our work here today can make these youth feel like this is not just a place to sleep, but a place to come home to,” said one Kraken employee.
Because of the deep cleaning and refreshing that these volunteers did on the house, Pathways is one step closer to being able to welcome youth into the home. And according to YouthCare’s Chief Advancement Officer, Suzanne Sullivan, projects like this have more meaning to the youth who live in the home than you may think.
“You are sending a very clear message to these young people that they are loved, they are cared for, they are worthy, and we are here for them,” shared Sullivan.
The project at YouthCare’s Pathways Program House was a major group effort with the goal of refurbishing Pathways to both look and feel like home. This community effort will help to transform our community, one young person at a time.
Thank you to everyone who made this partnership and volunteer event possible! As Seattle Kraken General Manager Tod Leiweke shared, “We are just getting started!”
